What speed setting when machine polishing

Written by: Vinnie van Rooij

Different jobs require a different speed setting on your polish machine. Although they can differ slightly per machine, the settings are fairly general per action. Knowing the right speed setting can make the difference between half results, and proper results.

Please note that this guide does not apply to 100% of the products on the market. Although this could be used as a guideline or a place to start, nothing beats craftsmanship, knowledge and experience. There might be products that need to be worked differently.

Contents

For polishing

High speed – 5000 rpm / 7000 rpm

When the polish is spread out over the panel
To really work the polish in, let the particles break down properly
When polishing glass, this need some extra power to actually get any results

Medium speed – 3500 rpm / 5000 rpm

When you are still spreading the polish equally over the panel
When you polish around sharp angles, delicate surfaces or fresh paint
When you are almost down, turn down the speed and turn the machine off. Only lift it off the panel after it has stopped completely
If you’ve used to much polish and the drops are flying around
When polishing plastic, you need to start out slow/medium to work the polish in, only turn it up to high after you are close to done

Low speed – 1500 rpm / 3500 rpm

When you just applied new polish to the pad
When you are jewelling (very slowly working the finishing polish in)
When you are working around very sensitive areas
When polishing very soft plastic

For using a Glaze

High speed – 5000 rpm / 7000 rpm

Only turn it up to high if the Glaze is giving you problems, stay oily to long or if the paint is very hard

Medium speed – 3500 rpm / 5000 rpm

When the product has been spread, turn it up to medium and really work the product in

Low speed – 1500 rpm / 3500 rpm

Start out very slow to spread the product evenly
Finish in low setting to jewel the last layer of Glaze before buffing off

For waxing

High speed – 5000 rpm / 7000 rpm

Don’t use a high speed setting, this will just fling the wax around, the added heat won’t make it perform better anyway

Medium speed – 3500 rpm / 5000 rpm

Turning it up a bit will generate heat, which will help the wax to be worked in more easily

Low speed – 1500 rpm / 3500 rpm

Spread the product on a very low setting
Finish off in low setting to get a very glossy shine on the last few passes

Different related articles

Detailing Miscellaneous

The best sealant
It is often asked on detailing fora and social media: "what is the best sealant". Off course there is a difference between certain products and brands, but it is important to know what you are asking. In this guide I will try to explain what the problem is with this question unless it is asked more in-depth....
Correction

Minimum paint thickness
The minimum paint thickness is an indication that there is no paint left to polish and should be avoided as much as possible. The downside is that this thickness is difficult to monitor or measure. Going passed this minimum thickness will result in strike-through of burn-through....
Manufacturers

Infinity Wax
Infinity Wax is a Scottish manufacturer of detailing products. The company was born by a passion for products that would outperform the current products that where available at the time....
Detailing Miscellaneous

The best snowfoam
It is often asked on detailing fora and social media: "what is the best snowfoam". Off course there is a difference between certain products and brands, but it is important to know what you are asking. In this guide I will try to explain what the problem is with this question unless it is asked more in-depth....
Correction

How To Choose a Pad & Polish Combo for Paintwork
So, you've got all the gear, you know how to handle the machine polisher - but how do you choose what pad and polish combination to use to achieve correction on your paint finish? This thread tackles that very question. It is not brand specific, so the basics here apply to all polish ranges....
Detailing Miscellaneous

How to combine dressing and coating
Not all coatings have enough effect on the oxidized look of UV-damaged plastic. Most dressing restore the look better, but don't offer the protection of a coating. Combining these 2 seems illogical and difficult, but it isn't....